Rémy Martin continued its celebration of excellence and culture this past weekend with an exclusive yacht event during Monaco’s iconic 2025 race festivities. The House of Rémy Martin partnered with…
Backed by legendary Hip Hop icon and original Wu Tang swordsman Method Man, TICAL Official is a lifestyle brand known for it TICAL Box and Merchandise, which has been receiveing a lot of looks on social media.
The luxury lockbox is handcrafted and comes with a certification of authenticity signed by Mef himself as well as a healthy list of items for your everyday lifestyle needs. The merchandise, which consists of hoodies, hats, shirts and various accessories are all made from designs hand chosen by Johnny Blaze himself and actively worn by him and his inner circle while on tour.
Friday night saw Brooklyn’s Xanadu transformed into a hotspot for the future of hip-hop, as Billboard hosted its highly anticipated 2024 Hip-Hop LIVE concert. With a sold-out crowd in attendance, the event was a celebration of the next wave of talent that is rapidly climbing the industry’s charts and taking the world by storm.The evening featured a dynamic lineup of performances that showcased the best of what’s next in hip-hop. DJ Miss Milan kicked off the night, setting the tone for an energy-filled event. The spotlight then turned to the rising stars, including Texas sensation BigXthaPlug, Florida’s own Bossman Dlow, and the genre-blending headliner, Teezo Touchdown.
Hip-Hop LIVE Highlights:
BigXthaPlug: The Texas-born rapper, hailed as Amazon Music’s latest Breakthrough Artist, ignited the crowd with his opening performance. Fans chanted “The biggest, the largest!” as he took the stage, delivering a powerful set that included hits like “The Largest,” “Safehouse,” “Climate,” “Whip It,” “Levels,” and the Texas anthem “Texas,” a tribute to his roots.
Bossman Dlow: With the iconic Jaws theme song playing, Bossman Dlow hyped up the audience before diving into his viral track “Mr. Pot Scraper.” The rising Florida star kept the momentum going with performances of “Twerk Dat Ass (Twerk Song),” “Come Here,” “Piss Me Off,” “Talk My Shit,” and closed with “Finesse,” with the crowd echoing every word.
Teezo Touchdown: The headliner, known for his eclectic style, didn’t disappoint. Teezo Touchdown, dressed in a striking retro monochrome red outfit, captivated the audience as he took the stage with a microphone adorned with red roses. Reflecting on his recent “Rookie of the Year” award, which he received at Billboard’s R&B Hip-Hop Power Player Event the night before, Teezo remarked, “What a year it’s been…” He then delivered a high-energy set featuring his viral hits “Daylight,” “OK,” “You Thought,” “Impossible,” “Too Easy,” “MODERN JAM,” “Out of Respect,” and concluded the night with “Stranger,” leaving the crowd in awe.
Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Program: Championing New Talent
A major highlight of the night was Amazon Music’s dedication to nurturing emerging artists through its Breakthrough Program. BigXthaPlug’s standout performance was a testament to the program’s success, which provides artists with increased visibility, livestream performances, bespoke marketing activations, and more. By backing artists during the most crucial stages of their careers, Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Program is helping to shape the future of hip-hop.
Exclusive On-Site Experiences
Beyond the music, State Farm brought their Good Neighbor Marketplace to the event, featuring local, Black-owned small businesses and delivering exclusive experiences to fans on-site. Meanwhile, the event’s exclusive cognac sponsor, Rémy Martin, elevated the evening with signature cocktails made with 1738 Accord Royal, offering a curated bar experience that added a touch of luxury to the night.
The Hip-Hop LIVE concert followed Billboard’s annual R&B Hip-Hop Power Players Event, held on Thursday, September 5, at the Paradise Club at the Edition Hotel Times Square. The prestigious event gathered leaders from the R&B and hip-hop communities to celebrate the industry’s key power players, including Joey Bada$$ (Impact Award), Rachelle Jean-Louis (Executive of the Year), Teezo Touchdown (Rookie of the Year), Playboi Carti (R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year), and Megan Thee Stallion (R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year). The celebrations continue on Sunday, September 8, with Billboard’s R&B No. 1s Party, honoring the year’s biggest R&B chart-topping tracks.
Hip-hop mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has become the latest celebrity to back the online watch market, taking an equity stake in luxury trading platform Wristcheck. The Hong Kong-based company recently secured approximately $5 million in funding, with Jay-Z among the prominent investors.
Jay-Z, renowned for his extensive collection of rare and valuable watches from brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille, joins other high-profile celebrities venturing into the watch trading space. Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and F1 driver Charles Leclerc are investors in Chrono24, the largest dedicated online watch-trading platform, while Bezel, its US competitor, has attracted backing from Kevin Hart, John Legend, and J Balvin.
Founded in 2020 by watch collector and Instagram influencer-turned-CEO Austen Chu, Wristcheck targets high-end timepiece buyers and sellers in Asia and offers authentication services to combat counterfeit products. The company has raised about $13.6 million to date.
Jay-Z participated in Wristcheck’s pre-series A funding round alongside Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners GBA, and K3 Ventures. Austen Chu expressed admiration for Jay-Z, stating, “As an entrepreneur, Jay-Z has always been an inspiration to me. His lyrics not only introduced me to watch brands like Audemars Piguet but also fueled my love for watches even further, as he bridged the gap between watches and pop culture.”
Jay-Z, whose net worth is estimated at $2 billion according to Celebrity Net Worth, has amassed his fortune through music sales and strategic business investments. His ventures include beverage start-ups Armand de Brignac and D’Usse, as well as the streaming service Tidal, all of which he has sold controlling stakes in to corporations like LVMH, Bacardi, and Square.
As the founder of Marcy Venture Partners, Jay-Z’s portfolio includes investments in blockchain platform Alchemy, wellness company Therabody, and alternative meat company Impossible Foods. He has also exited investments in Uber and JetSmarter, significantly boosting his fortune by over $1 billion since 2022.
Jay-Z co-owns the entertainment agency Roc Nation with concert business Live Nation. Together with his wife, Beyoncé Knowles, the couple’s combined net worth stands at $2.6 billion. Their property holdings in the US are valued at least $350 million.
This latest investment in Wristcheck underscores Jay-Z’s continued influence and interest in the luxury watch market, further solidifying his position as a savvy entrepreneur and investor.
This weekend, rapper Latto released her music video for “Big Mama,” featuring the dining room of Papi Steak. Known for offering a luxurious dining experience, Papi Steak isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a vibe and a story waiting to be told.
Latto, who dined at Papi Steak multiple times in March, shared with her 11.6 million Instagram followers that she racked up checks over $10K. During her visits, she was spotted wearing Louis Vuitton Bow Murakami LV mule sandals and a matching purse.
After dining, Latto headed to LIV Miami, where she hit an electrifying performance of her songs “Big Energy,” “Put it On Da Floor Again,” and “Sunday Service.”
Latto’s recent news includes her sister, Brooklyn Nikole, who appeared in the “Big Mama” video and is rumored to be dating rapper Drake. Drake also featured Papi Steak in his music video for “Jumbotron Shit Poppin.”
Papi Steak, located in the historic South of Fifth neighborhood, offers the perfect atmosphere for any music video, providing intimate and lively settings.
Jeff Aronson, co-founder of the newly-launched at-home hair coloring brand Rewind It 10, has joined forces with his wife Carolyn Aronson and hip-hop icon Fat Joe.
Rewind It 10 offers high-quality, professional-grade Italian formulas for men seeking salon-quality results conveniently at home or at their local barber. The product is now available online at Rewindit10.com and Sally Beauty US stores.
To amplify their brand, Jeff, Joe, and Carolyn enlisted celebrity ambassadors, including Travis Kelce, DJ Khaled, R&B singer Tank, and model Tyson Beckford. These ambassadors will appear at Sally Beauty stores nationwide.
The brand’s two product lines for hair and facial hair come in four colors, providing ammonia-free solutions enriched with aloe vera and essential oils for hydration and nourishment. With pigmented results in just five minutes, Rewind It 10 promises to rejuvenate your look, making you appear a decade younger.
Speaking with The Source, Jeff Aronson details the launch of Rewind It 10, his partnerships, and more.
Congratulations on the launch of Rewind It 10! Could you share with us what inspired the creation of this at-home beard and hair coloring brand?
Approximately six years ago, Joe approached Carolyn and I about the idea for the brand. At first, we just felt like the timing wasn’t right yet. Joe, who has been a user of hair coloring products for about 25 years, really wanted to put his own spin on it. Over the years, we continued to have discussions and finally sat down four years ago to get serious about starting the process. At the time, a shift in men’s grooming started to happen. This pushed us to get in front of the curve to reimagine home hair coloring for men. The marketplace only had one major player and the product had quality issues. We noticed the shades didn’t always match the color described on the box. This further motivated us to create the highest quality product possible, and a brand our generation could relate to. Fast forward a few years later, the Rewind It 10 concept was born. At the beginning of our brand journey, Carolyn would travel non-stop to Italy to work on the formulas. We probably created about 300 iterations until we were finally satisfied with the formulation for our product.
Partnering with beauty mogul Carolyn Aronson and rapper Fat Joe is quite an interesting collaboration. How did this partnership come about, and what unique perspectives did each of you bring to the table?
We all bring a high level of expertise from our respective industries. Joe has a tremendous amount of celebrity cachet and a brilliant marketing mind. Carolyn’s a mogul and probably one of the most esteemed names in the beauty industry. Her journey from starting out as a hairdresser and salon owner, to becoming a hair care products manufacturer is quite impressive. She has touched thousands of heads of hair and knew exactly what to do to create the most amazing professional hair color ever done. On my side, I have the business background, negotiation skills and the marketing knowledge to assist in presenting an affordable, high-grade product to consumers while creating the best margins for Rewind It 10.
Could you tell us more about the formulation process behind Rewind It 10? What sets it apart from other at-home hair coloring products on the market?
One of our goals for consumers who experience the Rewind It 10 brand was to ensure that customers had all the tools they needed to successfully complete their hair coloring process at home. The product includes a full kit inside of the boxes from gloves to stain remover and perfect applicators. In the beard box, there’s a brush, and everything you would possibly need to get the easiest experience for the best possible price. Throughout our visits to Italy to create the formulation, we also paid very close attention to the type of ingredients we utilized in our products. We wanted an ammonia-free product, which was especially important to us because a lot of people have skin sensitivities and skin allergies. We wanted to get the ammonia out of the product, so it would be a lot less harsh on the skin and the scent be similar to a good smelling conditioner when it’s on. Some of the quality ingredients we wanted to incorporate instead were meadowfoam seed oil, macadamia seed oil and aloe vera to encourage a better overall experience and feeling on the face. It really is the perfect professional level beard and hair coloring brand at home.
It’s fascinating to see the lineup of celebrity ambassadors for Rewind It 10. How did you go about selecting these individuals, and what role do you see them playing in promoting the brand?
We came out with the shades that we wanted to start with and then Joe began diligently setting up meetings with friends of his. It is an immensely celebrity driven brand, but none of these celebrities were cut a check to be on the box. Every one of them is on the box because they’re a product of this product. They own their own box and receive a royalty off every box that is sold with their image. They use it, love it, and own their own boxes. This is a long-term commitment, and you can see by the way each guy posts about the brand all the time. Everyone is doing this because they believe in the product. You’ll see some of the most famous faces on the planet and some of the best-looking men in history on our boxes. Tyson Beckford said numerous times, that Rewind It 10 is the only product for him. That means so much more than just being a face on the box. It’s clear that this is a way of life for him, and he wanted to share that with others.
The idea of achieving salon-quality results from the comfort of one’s home or local barber is appealing. How do you envision Rewind It 10 changing the grooming routines of men everywhere?
The whole goal of Rewind It 10 has been to break the stigma about men’s hair color. If your partner is able to do things to make themselves look better, why shouldn’t we as men have that same opportunity? Joe and I are also around the same age, and it was a priority to create a brand that people in our age bracket could relate to for this same reason. I remember men used to go to the pharmacy in the middle of the night and they would shove a hair coloring product under their armpit and run to the register. It was almost like their dirty little secret, but there’s no reason for it to be a shameful experience. Why look 53 when you could look 40? The better you look, the more confident you feel, the better you become – that’s what we stand on.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future of Rewind It 10? Are there any upcoming products or initiatives that you’re particularly excited about?
We are expanding the Rewind It 10 product line, which is exciting! This will include introducing a new medium brown shade. We had a dark brown and light brown, so we’re coming out with the medium brown shade to have a color in-between. We’re also launching a new natural black shade that will be between the dark brown and jet-black colors. Lastly, we are working on debuting new shades for the beard touch up products as well, which will be coming out hopefully by the end of this year. Stay updated with the latest on Rewind It 10 via our website https://rewindit10.com/.
Walt Disney World Resort made a special appearance at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture to announce the opening of applications and nominations for the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy. Gospel singing star Pastor Mike Jr., joined Disney executive Tracey D. Powell and motivational speaker/former dreamer– Princeton Parker during the announcement at the Essence stage in front of thousands of spectators to announce the life-changing program.
Disney Dreamers Academy Application Announcement
The Disney Dreamers Academy is an epic four-day annual event held in March to enlighten and cultivate students at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The program is designed to broaden career and personal development for 100 teens from Black and underrepresented communities across America.
Students looking to achieve their dreams can apply and, for the first time this year, be nominated for the program at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. The application process opens Monday and runs through October. The 100 selected students will receive an all-expense-paid trip along with one parent or guardian to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to experience a combination of inspiration, education and fun at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
“We’re seeking the next generation of big dreamers to bring to Walt Disney World for the 17th year of this life-changing program,” said Disney Signature Experiences vice president Tracey D. Powell, who is also the program’s executive champion. “Any teen in your life who aspires to achieve their goals should apply. You never know where it could take them!”
Pastor Mike Jr., dubbed “The New King of Urban Inspiration,” is an 11-time Stellar Award Gospel Artist, best known for his songs “I Got It” and “So Good”. As one of several celebrity speakers who took part in last year’s Disney Dreamers Academy, he motivated the students through his inspiring storytelling and musical performance.
“Inspiring others is my passion, and it is also the core of Disney Dreamers Academy, which is why I’m so proud to affiliate myself with this program,” said Pastor Mike Jr. “I’ve seen how passionate these students are and I would encourage all students to apply or nominate a fellow Disney Dreamer for this once-in-a-lifetime transformative event.”
Pastor Mike Jr., Tracey D. Powell and Princeton Parker
The impactful Disney program introduces the teens to an array of new opportunities, such as sessions teaching valuable life tools, leadership skills, effective communication techniques and networking strategies.
Students attend in-depth workshops in a variety of disciplines aligned with their dreams. These workshops introduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment, and sciences, including career opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.
Halle Bailey Surprises Students at Disney Dreamers Academy
In her role as Disney Dreamers Academy Ambassador, actor and singer Halle Bailey, who plays the lead role as Ariel in the live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” was part of many special moments during this year’s event, sharing her own personal struggles and lessons on her path to success. She also personally hosted two aspiring filmmakers from the class at the world premiere of “The Little Mermaid.”
Over the years, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,500 students from across the country. Each year, graduates have gone on to become doctors, engineers, performing artists, entrepreneurs, Disney Cast Members and more, and some have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who followed them.
The Disney Dreamers Academy program is an important part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities by encouraging the next generation to think big and to use what they learn in their relentless pursuit of their dreams in hopes of making a difference in the lives of others.
Last week the U.S. Supreme Court stuck down Affirmative Action in higher education when they reversed affirmative action after 62 years. The Supreme set new limits on affirmative action programs in cases involving whether public and private colleges and universities can continue to use race as one factor among many in student admissions. After decades of fighting for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in films and television, both behind and in front of the camera, Hollywood is flipping the script.
In similar but unrelated news, four Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officers in Hollywood were fired the very next day.
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown took to her Instagram page and wrote:
In ONE day, FOUR talented, smart Black women lost their jobs — or “left on their own accord” in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion space.
A day after #AffirmativeAction was gutted by the compromised and BOUGHT six GOP-chosen “Justices” #SupremeCourt
Actress Niecy Nash supported and reposted along with several others.
A biology professor at a community college in San Antonio says he was fired for teaching students that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes. He said he was told his lessons were ‘offensive and unacceptable to homosexuals and transgenders’.
Dr. Johnson Varkey claims he was terminated by St. Philip’s College for “religious preaching” after his lecture about the human reproductive system on Nov. 28, 2022.
Varkey is being represented in a possible wrongful termination lawsuit by conservative law firm The First Liberty Institute.
“The college fired him for teaching basic and widely accepted concepts of biology. We’re asking the college to immediately reinstate Dr. Varkey to his position and clear his record of any wrongdoing,” the law firm said in a statement.
Varkey’s lecture led to four students walking out of the lecture hall. The four students reportedly complained about the professor’s “religious preaching, discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, anti-abortion rhetoric, and misogynistic banter,” First Liberty said.
“In two decades of teaching these basic, unremarkable concepts, no other students complained,” the law firm said, according to The NY Post.
Varkey has taught human anatomy and physiology to more than 1,500 students since 2003, according to First Liberty Institute.
“During Dr. Varkey’s 20-year employment as a biology professor at St. Philip’s College, he consistently received exemplary performance reviews and was never subject to discipline. Throughout that time, he never discussed with any student his personal views — religious or otherwise — on human gender or sexuality.”
The law firm said public colleges and universities can’t fire professors “for teaching actual science. It’s harmful to academic freedom. It’s also harmful to religious liberty, as the college is sending a message that people of faith are not welcome and need not apply.”
First Liberty added: “Dr. Varkey is the latest example of an everyday American who lost his job to a toxic cancel culture that is infecting employers across the country.”
D.C. Young Fly spoke at Jacky Oh’s funeral and delivered a powerful tribute with an underlying message of leaning on his faith. “Pray for us, send good energy our way.”
“I’m sitting here strong, letting you know chin up, chest out, that I’m straight,” D.C. Young Fly said. “My kids, we good. Because we led by spirit, and not by flesh. Are we hurt? Yes. Because we human. We got emotions. I want everybody in here, if you don’t take nothing from today, man, I don’t care whatever you going through in life, listen man, find you a relationship with God! Keep God first.”
Last week, news outlets regrettably reported the death of mother of three–social media influencer Jacky Oh! Her children’s father Wild ‘N Out comedian DC Young Fly, often shared moments of his beautiful family and his undeniable happiness. The world mourned for the comedian when his partner.was found unresponsive in a Miami hotel room just days after receiving elective plastic surgery.
Earlier in the weekend D.C. Young Fly delivered an Instagram message for the first time since her death.
I wasn’t in no rush to post this because I wanted it to be a dream so bad but every hour I’m reminded of realty so I wanna make sure I applaud you in the proper manner You are the GREATEST MOTHER I KNOW your soul was beautiful Yu always wanted the best for others and I admired how our family love each other!!! Never had to worry about our kids loving each other cause you were on top of Dat!!! You kno we GOD fearing and we are grounded by the spirit we never question the HIGHER POWER we roll wit the punches and continue to live righteous will always tell our kids how much an amazing person you were especially a GREAT MOTHER!!! You know how our last convo went I prayed for Yu and now we are here.. but it’s ok we willll continue to pray and hold on to our FAITH because that’s alll we kno!! Love you forever and our kids are super strong they helpin me wit my tranquility no Kap!!!!! U wit me forever The QUEEN of my children will always have a spot in my heart and the paradise (Yu gon get me for Dat but it’s true) LOVE YOU FOREVER jus know we goinn harder than ever and GOD is in control and he got us covered
We will keep DC and his family in our thoughts and prayers.